Unfinished business in Iran

On Saturday May 4th, the Associated Press quoted a source from U.S. intelligence and foreign allies who avowed havingg enough evidence to prove that several top Al Qaeda operatives are hiding in Iran — with the complicity of the Iranian government.

If that is confirmed (and in part it already is), it will be a huge blow to the credibility of those who tell us that Shiite and Sunni fundamentalists could never collaborate with each other.

This alliance of rivals has been built as a way to wage a "holy war" on the U.S., Israel and the democratic world at large.

In spite of this further evidence, our Western politicians and so—called "experts," both in Europe and at the State Department, seem willing to close both eyes and keep on trying to cut a deal with the main regime supporting and protecting Al Qaeda operatives and other Middle Eeastern and foreign terror groups.

The European Union is not new to these forms of deadly appeasement; it is part of its own policy and nobody expects it to change. Europe is calling for more Iran—EU nuclear talks, even though it knows that they have never resolved anything and instead gave the Islamic regime more time to complete the building of its atomic bombs, a project that is in fact closer to become a fact.

Yet, all that Europe hopes by urging more of these useless talks is to avoid the direct involvement of the U.S. in "Iranian internal affairs," by helping the Iranian people achieve regime change.

Europe is terrified by the idea of a liberated Iran, as this might mean the end of their privileged economic relations with a bunch of unelected clerics.

What worries the most is the current attitude by some in the Bush administration, including Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and the President himself, who are openly endorsing the EU Big 3's policy toward Iran.

Worst,it seems that Bush has stated his support to the talks for a future membership of the Islamic Republic in the WTO.

A prominent U.S. scholar , Michael Ledeen, is right when he affirms, in one of his brilliant editorials, that

"...if President Bush is serious about spreading freedom, then he must finally and openly demand an end to the dictatorships that oppose freedom with all their might."

On several occasions, the President has stated his firm support for the Iranian people's aspiration to freedom and democracy. The Iranian people have applauded and expressed their deep admiration for the first US President who spoke the word "freedom" when it comes to Iran.

Sadly, it seems that the recent statements contradict those wise words. This attitude can only confuse the Iranian freedom fighters and encourage the mullahs to feel that their deceive—and—rule policy works and is even awarded.

On June 17, the regime will hold another sham presidential election. One of the candidates, the billionaire Hashem Rafsanjani, is trying to do what Khatami did successfully: deceive the world by portraying himself as a "reformer" and a "modernizer" — thereby hoping to make the international community forget his most infamous crimes such as the murder of dozens of Iranian exiles in Europe.

The Iranian people are readying to boycott massively this further show of deception.

As the Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran reported, millions have boycotted the commemoration of Khomeini's death anniversary by expressing joy and dancing.

The Iranian activist group reports that the women — the first and main victims of this regime — "were seen taking off their mandatory veils and dancing or chanting publicly with men despite all the dangers and existing back warded sanctions".

President Bush stated that "whenever you stand for your freedom, America stands with you".

The Iranian people keep showing the world — and even at risk of their own life — that they want to get rid of the Islamic Republic in its totality and then hold an internationally—monitored genuine referendum on the future system of the country.

It is up to the Free World to show that it is sincere when it says to support the oppressed people's aspirations to freedom.

It must choose whether it stands with the Iranian people or with their oppressors.

On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the 1989 massacre in Tiananmen Square,it is more than ever important to avoid repeating the tragic mistake of silence.

Stefania Lapenna is an Italian activist and author of the weblog Free Thoughts

On Saturday May 4th, the Associated Press quoted a source from U.S. intelligence and foreign allies who avowed havingg enough evidence to prove that several top Al Qaeda operatives are hiding in Iran — with the complicity of the Iranian government.

If that is confirmed (and in part it already is), it will be a huge blow to the credibility of those who tell us that Shiite and Sunni fundamentalists could never collaborate with each other.

This alliance of rivals has been built as a way to wage a "holy war" on the U.S., Israel and the democratic world at large.

In spite of this further evidence, our Western politicians and so—called "experts," both in Europe and at the State Department, seem willing to close both eyes and keep on trying to cut a deal with the main regime supporting and protecting Al Qaeda operatives and other Middle Eeastern and foreign terror groups.

The European Union is not new to these forms of deadly appeasement; it is part of its own policy and nobody expects it to change. Europe is calling for more Iran—EU nuclear talks, even though it knows that they have never resolved anything and instead gave the Islamic regime more time to complete the building of its atomic bombs, a project that is in fact closer to become a fact.

Yet, all that Europe hopes by urging more of these useless talks is to avoid the direct involvement of the U.S. in "Iranian internal affairs," by helping the Iranian people achieve regime change.

Europe is terrified by the idea of a liberated Iran, as this might mean the end of their privileged economic relations with a bunch of unelected clerics.

What worries the most is the current attitude by some in the Bush administration, including Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and the President himself, who are openly endorsing the EU Big 3's policy toward Iran.

Worst,it seems that Bush has stated his support to the talks for a future membership of the Islamic Republic in the WTO.

A prominent U.S. scholar , Michael Ledeen, is right when he affirms, in one of his brilliant editorials, that

"...if President Bush is serious about spreading freedom, then he must finally and openly demand an end to the dictatorships that oppose freedom with all their might."

On several occasions, the President has stated his firm support for the Iranian people's aspiration to freedom and democracy. The Iranian people have applauded and expressed their deep admiration for the first US President who spoke the word "freedom" when it comes to Iran.

Sadly, it seems that the recent statements contradict those wise words. This attitude can only confuse the Iranian freedom fighters and encourage the mullahs to feel that their deceive—and—rule policy works and is even awarded.

On June 17, the regime will hold another sham presidential election. One of the candidates, the billionaire Hashem Rafsanjani, is trying to do what Khatami did successfully: deceive the world by portraying himself as a "reformer" and a "modernizer" — thereby hoping to make the international community forget his most infamous crimes such as the murder of dozens of Iranian exiles in Europe.

The Iranian people are readying to boycott massively this further show of deception.

As the Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran reported, millions have boycotted the commemoration of Khomeini's death anniversary by expressing joy and dancing.

The Iranian activist group reports that the women — the first and main victims of this regime — "were seen taking off their mandatory veils and dancing or chanting publicly with men despite all the dangers and existing back warded sanctions".

President Bush stated that "whenever you stand for your freedom, America stands with you".

The Iranian people keep showing the world — and even at risk of their own life — that they want to get rid of the Islamic Republic in its totality and then hold an internationally—monitored genuine referendum on the future system of the country.

It is up to the Free World to show that it is sincere when it says to support the oppressed people's aspirations to freedom.

It must choose whether it stands with the Iranian people or with their oppressors.

On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the 1989 massacre in Tiananmen Square,it is more than ever important to avoid repeating the tragic mistake of silence.

Stefania Lapenna is an Italian activist and author of the weblog Free Thoughts